U.S. patent number 5,366,269 [Application Number 07/932,816] was granted by the patent office on 1994-11-22 for apparatus for restraining a passenger in a vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Life Force Associates, L.P.. Invention is credited to Randall R. Beauvais.
United States Patent |
5,366,269 |
Beauvais |
November 22, 1994 |
Apparatus for restraining a passenger in a vehicle
Abstract
An apparatus for restraining an object includes an anchor member
movably coupled to a frame and a restraining member selectively
coupleable about the object to maintain the object on an object
support structure. The restraining member is coupled to the anchor
member such that, upon a sudden acceleration of the frame, the
anchor member moves from a rest position along at least a portion
of a predetermined path so that the restraining member is gradually
tightened about the object as the anchor member moves further from
the rest position. The anchor member moves in response to an
inertial force of the object which is transmitted to the anchor
member via the restraining member.
Inventors: |
Beauvais; Randall R. (Fenton,
MO) |
Assignee: |
Life Force Associates, L.P.
(Imperial, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
25462988 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/932,816 |
Filed: |
August 20, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/216.19;
297/473 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N
2/4214 (20130101); B60N 2/4221 (20130101); B60N
2/42736 (20130101); B60R 22/195 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
22/195 (20060101); B60N 2/427 (20060101); B60R
22/18 (20060101); B60N 2/42 (20060101); B60N
002/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/216.16,216.19,473 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cuomo; Peter M.
Assistant Examiner: Boucher; Darnell M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kenyon & Kenyon
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for restraining a passenger in a vehicle
comprising:
an anchor member movably coupled to the vehicle such that the
anchor member may move along a predetermined path relative to the
vehicle, said predetermined path including an anchor member rest
position; and
a restraining member selectively coupleable about the passenger to
maintain the passenger in a vehicle seat, said restraining member
being coupled to said anchor member such that, upon an acceleration
of the vehicle of at least a predetermined magnitude, the anchor
member moves away from the anchor member rest position along at
least a portion of the predetermined path, wherein the path is
oriented so that the restraining member is gradually tightened
about the passenger as the anchor member moves further from the
anchor member rest position, and wherein an inertial force of the
passenger is transmitted to the anchor member via the restraining
member so that the inertial force of the passenger contributes to
the motion of the anchor member.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the seat moves away
from a seat rest position in response to the predetermined
acceleration.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein, upon the
predetermined acceleration, the inertial force of the passenger is
transmitted via the restraining member to said anchor member and
subsequently to the seat, so that the inertial force of the
passenger contributes to the motion of the seat.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the seat motion
contributes to the restraint of the passenger.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the motion of the
seat and the motion of the anchor member act in synchronization to
effect an enhanced restraint of the passenger.
6. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein, upon the
predetermined acceleration, the inertial force of the vehicle seat
is transmitted via the motion of the seat to said anchor member so
that the inertial force of the vehicle seat contributes to the
motion of the anchor member at least partly in the direction of the
inertial force and, consequently, the inertial force of the vehicle
seat contributes to the tightening of the restraining member.
7. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the predetermined path
is oriented such that the anchor member moves substantially
horizontally and forwardly from the anchor member rest position and
wherein the seat moves forwardly and upwardly away from the seat
rest position in response to the predetermined acceleration.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the anchor member
includes a contacting surface for contacting a member coupled to
the seat, the contacting surface abutting the member when the
anchor member and the seat are in their respective rest positions,
and wherein motion of the anchor member away from the anchor member
rest position induces motion of the member and consequently,
contributes to the motion of the seat.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a rigid
member coupled to the vehicle frame, said rigid member including a
substantially horizontal slot formed therein, and wherein the
anchor member includes a pin which is received in the slot which is
formed in the rigid member.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for
providing a predetermined resistance to the motion of said anchor
member along the predetermined path.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for
providing resistance to the motion of said anchor member dissipates
at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the passenger.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the seat moves away
from a seat rest position in response to the predetermined
acceleration, the apparatus further comprising means for providing
a predetermined resistance to the motion of the seat.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for
providing resistance to the motion of the seat dissipates at least
a portion of the kinetic energy of the passenger.
14. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the means for
providing resistance includes break away slats arranged along the
predetermined path.
15. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the means for
providing resistance includes areas of increased friction arranged
along the predetermined path.
16. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the restraining
member includes a first portion and a second portion, each portion
extending forward from a rearward end coupled to the vehicle frame
around a respective pulley member to a forward end, said forward
ends of the respective portions including means for coupling the
first and second portions of the restraining member together to
restrain a passenger seated in the vehicle seat.
17. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle seat is
movably coupled to the vehicle frame by a rearward seat supporting
member and a forward seat supporting member, the rearward and
forward supporting members each including at a lower end thereof, a
pin rotatably mounted to the vehicle frame, an upper end of each of
the rearward and forward supporting members being rotatably coupled
to the seat, wherein the apparatus further includes a linking
member a forward end of which is rotatably coupled to the forward
seat supporting member, the restraining member being coupled to the
linking member at a point rearward of the forward end of the
linking member.
18. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined
path is a substantially linear path.
19. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined
path is substantially a conic section.
20. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined
path extends substantially downward in a direction away from the
anchor member rest position.
21. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined
path is oriented such that the elevation of the anchor member
increases as the anchor member moves further from the anchor member
rest position.
22. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of anchor members, each being coupled to the restraining
member and wherein each anchor member moves along a respective
predetermined path.
23. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a
restraining member locking means which operates to lock the
restraining member such that the length of the restraining member
coupled around the passenger's body is fixed when tension in the
restraining member is above a predetermined tension, said locking
means allowing the length of the restraining member to be extended
freely when the tension in the restraining member is below the
predetermined tension.
24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the predetermined
tension is fixed so that, upon motion of the seat in response to
the predetermined acceleration, said locking means allows a
predetermined amount of extension of the restraining member before
locking.
25. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising break away
slats arranged along the predetermined path in order to provide a
predetermined resistance to the movement of the anchor member.
26. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising areas of
increased friction arranged along the predetermined path in order
to provide a predetermined resistance to the movement of the anchor
member.
27. An apparatus for restraining an object comprising:
an anchor member movably coupled to a frame; and
a restraining member selectively coupleable about the object to
maintain the object on an object support structure, said
restraining member being coupled to said anchor member such that,
upon an acceleration of the frame of at least a predetermined
magnitude, the anchor member moves away from a rest position along
at least a portion of a predetermined path at least partly in the
direction of the inertial force of the object so that the
restraining member is gradually tightened about the object as the
anchor member moves further from the rest position, wherein the
inertial force of the object is transmitted to the anchor member
via the restraining member so that the inertial force of the object
contributes to the motion of the anchor member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices for restraining passengers in
vehicles and more particularly relates to a device which tightens a
restraining member around a passenger in the event of a collision
of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Issues concerning passenger safety have become increasingly
important as the speed of the vehicles transporting these
passengers has increased. In an attempt to reduce injuries due to
the sudden accelerations produced in vehicle collisions, a number
of passenger restraint systems have been employed. These restraint
systems have commonly employed belts and/or harnesses which fasten
about the passengers in order to achieve two primary objectives:
(1) Maintaining the passenger's original orientation and position
within the vehicle; (2) Absorbing the passengers' kinetic
energy.
These restraint systems are most effective when the harness is
highly tensioned about the passenger prior to the onset of the
acceleration force which propels the passenger's body against the
restraining harness. However, if applied to the harness at all
times, this level of tension restricts the movement of the
passenger and reduces passenger comfort.
Thus there is a need for a restraint system including a harness or
belt which is immediately tensioned about a passenger in response
to an acceleration of the vehicle which is potentially injurious to
the passenger.
Known restraint systems have attempted to utilize power from an
external source to tension restraint harnesses. However, these
systems have employed sensors and a preset action threshold to
activate the harness tensioning. Consequently, these systems are
complex and expensive and display little flexibility as to the
amount of belt tensioning effected in response to various
accelerations.
Systems are known which utilize the inertial force of a movably
mounted counterweight to tension the belt about the passenger.
However, although the acceleration acting on the counterweight is
identical to that acting on the passenger, such systems provide a
tensioning force which is not proportional to the inertial force of
the passenger. That is, because the mass of the counterweight is
constant, these systems do not provide a tensioning force which
varied in proportion to the inertial force of the passenger.
In addition, devices are known which utilize the motion of a
passenger seat in response to a vehicular acceleration to drive a
mechanism which tensions the seat belt. In these devices, the
action of the seat motion on the belt anchors works in opposition
to the passenger's inertial forces translated by the belt. The
timing of these devices is inherently late, being responsive only
after the accelerating force has become appreciable enough to cause
significant seat motion, and hence has already caused the passenger
to be heavily forced upon the harness. In fact, this timing delay
can even magnify potential dangers. The risk of whiplash induced by
recoil is increased. In addition, the force of the passenger on the
belt prior to the tightening action may exhaust the belts elastic
capacity to absorb energy from the passenger before the tightening
action increases the belt tension to potentially hazardous
levels.
Thus there is a need for a relatively simple restraint system which
provides a timely tensioning force which is proportional to the
inertial force of the passenger and which works in synchronization
with, or without a moving seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for restraining
an object comprising an anchor member movably coupled to a frame
and a restraining member selectively coupleable about the object to
maintain the object on an object support structure. The restraining
member is coupled to said anchor member such that upon the sudden
acceleration of the frame, the anchor member moves, in response to
an inertial force of the object translated by the restraining
member, from a rest position along at least a portion of a
predetermined path so that the restraining member is gradually
tightened about the object as the anchor member moves further from
the rest position and, wherein, the apparatus transmits the
inertial force of the object to the anchor member via the
restraining member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to a first embodiment of the present invention wherein
the vehicle seat is in a rest position.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein
the vehicle seat is in a second position in response to a sudden
acceleration of the vehicle.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the vehicle seat is in a rest position.
FIG. 4 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the vehicle seat is in a second position in response to a
sudden acceleration of the vehicle.
FIG. 5 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention wherein
a slot in which the belt anchor is movably mounted further includes
break away slats.
FIG. 6 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention wherein
a slot in which the vehicle seat is movably mounted further
includes break away slats.
FIG. 7 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein
the vehicle seat is in a rest position.
FIG. 8 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein
the vehicle seat is in a second position in response to a sudden
acceleration of the vehicle.
FIG. 9 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein
the vehicle seat is in a rest position.
FIG. 10 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the vehicle seat is in a second position in response to a
sudden acceleration of the vehicle.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat including an
apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention wherein the vehicle seat is in a rest position.
FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat including an
apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention wherein the vehicle seat is in a second position in
response to a sudden acceleration of the vehicle.
FIG. 13 shows a side view of a vehicle seat including an apparatus
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle seat indicated generally by
the numeral 10 includes a seat base portion 11 and a seat back
portion 12. A pin 13 is coupled to a rear portion 15 of the seat
base 11 and a pin 14 is coupled to a forward portion 16 of the seat
base 11. The pins 13 and 14 ride within slots 19 and 21,
respectively, formed in a plate member 17. Thus, the seat 10 is
movably mounted to the plate member 17 which is rigidly mounted to
the vehicle frame 18. In addition, the seat 10 includes a
restraining member 20 which is coupleable about a passenger and
which is adjustable to a desired length, either manually or
automatically, by means of mechanisms well known in the art. The
restraining member 20 is coupled to a sliding member 22 by means of
a pin 23. The sliding member 22 is coupled to a pin 24 which rides
in a substantially horizontal slot 25 which is formed in the member
17. A contact member 26 coupled to the sliding member 22 abuts a
rod 28 which is coupled to the seat base 11. In addition, any of
various well known means may be provided which will impart a known
resistance to the movement of the sliding member 22. This allows
the design of a system which will provide a desired belt tightening
and a desired seat motion for a given acceleration.
In operation, the seat 10 initially occupies a rest position
wherein the pins 13 and 14 are located at the rearward ends of the
slots 19 and 21, respectively. However, upon a sudden acceleration
of the vehicle in the direction of arrow 27, the forward inertial
force of the passenger exerts a force against the restraining
member 20 which is translated to the sliding member 22 via the pin
23. The sliding member 22 and the contact member 26 are then moved
forward in a direction opposite that of arrow 27. This, in addition
to the forward momentum of the seat 10, causes the rod 28 and,
consequently, the seat 10 to move such that the pins 13 and 14 ride
forward and upward in slots 19 and 21, respectively.
Therefore, upon the sudden acceleration of the vehicle in the
direction of arrow 27, the inertial force of the passenger is
transmitted, via the restraining member 20 and the sliding member
22, to the seat 10 so that it contributes to a motion of the seat
10 wherein the forward portion 16 and the rear portion 15 of the
seat base 11 move forward and upward with the forward portion 16
moving upward faster than the rear portion 15.
A vehicle seat including an apparatus according to a second
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3-6. The
apparatus according to this embodiment operates substantially as
described in regard to the apparatus according to the first
embodiment except that the sliding member 22 does not include a
contact member for contacting a rod which is coupled to the seat.
Thus, the apparatus according to this embodiment includes a moving
seat and a belt tightening apparatus which operate substantially
independently of one another. That is, the forward motion of the
sliding member 22 does not induce a forward motion of the vehicle
seat 10.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the apparatus may include
means for providing a predetermined resistance to the motion of
either the vehicle seat 10 or the sliding member 22 away from their
respective rest positions. The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 includes
break-away slats 7 which are mounted in the slot 25. Thus, as the
sliding member 22 and, consequently, the pin 24 move forward in the
slot 25, a resistance to this motion is provided by the slats 7.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a desired resistance
and, therefore, a desired belt tightening, may be obtained by
altering the strength of the slats 7.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 6 includes break-away slats 7 in the
slot 19. Similarly, these slats 7 provide a resistance to the
forward motion of the seat 10. The apparatus of FIG. 6 also
includes areas of increased friction, indicated generally by the
numeral 5, along the slots 21 and 25. These areas of increased
friction 5 provide a resistance to the forward motion of the seat
via the pin 14 and to the motion of the sliding member 22 along the
slot 25 via the pin 24. In addition, as the energy employed in
overcoming the resistance provided by the break-away slats 7 and
the areas of increased friction 5 is dissipated, the effects of any
recoil on the passenger are reduced.
A vehicle seat 10 including an apparatus according to a third
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The
apparatus includes a bar 29, one end of which is rotatably coupled
to the forward end of a plate member 41 by means of a pin 31. The
plate member 41 is rigidly coupled to the seat back 12 and to the
seat base 11. The other end of the bar 29 is rotatably coupled, by
means of a pin 30, to a member 32 which is rigidly coupled to the
frame 18. In addition, one end of a bar 33 is rotatably coupled to
the bar 29 by means of a pin 34. The other end of the bar 33 is
rotatably coupled to the restraining member 20 by means of a pin
35. An arcuate slot 36 formed in the bar 33 receives a pin 37 which
is mounted on a plate member 38. One end of the plate member 38 is
rotatably mounted by means of a pin 40 to a plate member 39 which
is rigidly coupled to the vehicle frame 18 while the other end of
the plate member 38 is rotatably coupled to the plate member 41 by
means of a pin 42.
In operation, the seat 10 initially occupies a rest position as
indicated by FIG. 7 wherein the pin 37 is located at the rearward
end of the slot 36. Upon a sudden acceleration of the vehicle in
the direction of arrow 27, the inertial force of the passenger
exerts a force directed substantially forwardly against the
restraining member 20. This force, which is translated to the bar
33 via the pin 35, urges the bar 33 forward causing the bar 29 to
rotate clockwise as seen in FIG. 8. This forward movement of the
upper part of the bar 29 draws the plate member 41 forward,
consequently causing the plate member 38 to rotate in the direction
of arrow 43 and the pin 37 to slide along the slot 36. This
rotation of the plate member 38 draws the rearward end of the bar
33 downward thereby tightening the restraining member 20 about the
passenger.
Thus, the inertial force of the passenger is transmitted via the
restraining men, her 20, the bar 33 and the bars 29 and 41 such
that the forward portion 16 of the seat base 11 moves forward and
upward and the rearward portion 15 moves forward and downward as
the motion of the seat simultaneously effects a predetermined
tightening of the restraining member 20 about the passenger.
A vehicle seat 10 including an apparatus according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and
12. The vehicle seat 10 is movably mounted to the vehicle frame 18
by means of two bars 44 and 45. The upper ends of bars 44 and 45
are rotatably coupled to the seat base 11 by means of pins 46 and
47, respectively. The lower end of the bar 44 is rotatably coupled
to a plate member 48 by means of a pin 50 while the lower end of
the bar 45 is rotatably coupled to a plate member 49 by means of a
pin 51, wherein both plate members 48 and 49 are rigidly coupled to
the vehicle frame 18. A first portion 54 of the restraining member
20 is coupled to a member 53 which is rigidly coupled to the frame
18. The first portion 54 extends from the member 53 across the seat
back 12 to a pulley member 52. A second portion 54' of the
restraining member extends from the member 53 across the seat back
12 to a pulley 52' located on the opposite side of the vehicle seat
from the pulley 52. A third portion 57 of the restraining member 20
which extends around the pulley members 52 across the top surface
56 of the seat base 11 includes a buckle for selectively coupling
the restraining member around the passenger. The buckle is adapted
to receive a tongue member (not shown) which is coupled to a fourth
portion 57' of the restraining member 20. The fourth portion of the
restraining member extends around the pulley 52' to the top surface
of the seat base 11. In addition, the apparatus includes means for
adjusting the total length of the restraining member after it has
been coupled about the passenger (not shown), either manually or
automatically, as is well known in the art.
In operation, the seat 10 initially occupies a rest position as
shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. While in the rest position during normal
travel of the vehicle, and after the restraining member 20 has been
coupled around the passenger and the length of the restraining
member 20 has been adjusted, the tension on the first and second
portions 54 and 54' of the restraining member 20 remains
substantially constant. However, upon the sudden acceleration of
the vehicle, the inertial force of the passenger will exert a force
on the restraining member 20 in a direction opposite arrow 27. This
force increases the tension in the third and fourth portions 57 and
57', respectively. The tension in the first portion 54 and the
second portion 54' is increased accordingly. The increase in
tension in the first portion 54 and in the second portion 54'
exerts a force on the pulley members 52 and 52' which urges the
seat 10 to move forward in a direction opposite that of arrow 27,
as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. The pulley members 52 and 52' are
chosen to impart a predetermined resistance to their rotation such
that a desired belt tightening and a desired seat motion are
attained.
Thus, the increased tension in the restraining member 20 due to the
inertial force of the passenger results in a forward force on the
seat 10 via the pulley members 52 and 52' which causes bar 44 to
rotate forward about the pin 50 and bar 45 to rotate forward about
the pin 51. The seat base 11 therefore moves forward and upward
such that the front portion 16 of the seat base 11 moves upward
faster than the rear portion 15. This force transmitted through the
restraining member 20 to the seat 10 is, of course, in addition to
the inertial force of the seat 10 which will also urge the seat 10
forward in response to the sudden acceleration of the vehicle in
the direction of the arrow 27.
A vehicle seat including an apparatus according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 13. The seat
10 is coupled to the vehicle frame 18 such that it will not move in
response to an acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus includes
a restraining member 20 which includes a buckle 59 for coupling a
first portion 60 of the restraining member 20 to a second portion
61 as is well known in the art. The restraining member 20 extends
across the seat base 11 and is coupled to a sliding member 22 by
means of a pin 23. The sliding member 22 is movably mounted to the
vehicle frame 18 by means of pins 24 which ride in a slot 25. In an
initial position before a sudden acceleration of the vehicle, the
sliding member 22 is located at the rearward end of the slot 25
adjacent the seat back 12. The slot 25 extends at an angle downward
relative to the horizontal and forward from this initial
position.
In response to a sudden acceleration of the vehicle in the
direction of the arrow 27, the inertial force of the passenger is
directed substantially forward in a direction opposite that of
arrow 27 against the restraining member 20. This inertial force is
transmitted via the restraining member 20 and the pin 23 to the
sliding member 22. This force urges the sliding member 22 forward
and, therefore, causes pins 24 to move away from the initial
position along the slot 25. This draws the restraining member 20
downward and tightens the restraining member 20 about the
passenger. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a desired
amount of tightening of the restraining member 20 may be obtained
by varying the angle of the slot 25 relative to the orientation of
the top surface of the seat base 11.
Each of the above-described embodiments refers to a system for
restraining a passenger in a vehicle seat wherein the vehicle is
subject to a sudden acceleration. However, those skilled in the art
will recognize that the present invention may be applied to reduce
the injurious effects of a sudden acceleration upon any object
during transportation or at any time during which the object may be
subjected to injurious acceleration.
* * * * *